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It’s early — waaay too early — to make any bold declarations and concrete proclamations. Shoot, it’s still June.
Yet, say this about the work-in-progress Winnipeg Blue Bombers two weeks into the Canadian Football League season:
There are just enough flashes of brilliance on offence and special teams — both units backed by a stifling defence — to have everyone in Bomberland sliding to the front of their collective seats wanting to witness much, much more of the 2025 edition.
The Blue Bombers pushed their record to 2-0 with an occasionally dominant yet sometimes sloppy 27-14 victory over the B.C. Lions Saturday night in front of 20,138 at B.C. Place and in the process delivered a reminder to the rest of the land that this still has the makings of a championship calibre squad.
And in the sign of a champion, there was a common refrain from the voices inside the locker room afterward: there’s no sense getting comfortable in the 2-0 start because there is so much left to clean up and so much more work to do.
“Obviously happy about the win, certainly not happy with the way we played,” said head coach Mike O’Shea afterward. “And I’m not happy with the way I managed the game at the end of the half and at the end of the game. I could have made sure we do things a little differently and not put ourselves in jeopardy like that.
“I hate to have to trot out our hands team out at the end (for a late on-side kickoff attempt by the Lions). That’s a tough football play. I’d like to see us better in those areas.
“But, sure, coming on the road on the road and winning… it’s fun and we’ll enjoy it. The coaches, maybe not as much.”
More on the Blue Bombers victory from our view in the press box in Vancouver…
WELCOME TO CLUB 200:
Zach Collaros made his first start of the season after missing last week’s game due to suspension and, first and foremost, took care of Job 1 for a quarterback by leading his team to victory.
That improves his career record against the Lions to 14-4 and he’s now a remarkable 50-15 as a starter in Winnipeg for the best winning percentage in franchise history.
Collaros also entered elite company Saturday by becoming just the 14th player to throw for 200 touchdown passes in his career. And let the record show that it came on a vintage Collaros play as he rolled to his left and then fired a seeing-eye strike to Dalton Schoen for a 15-yard score on the game’s first drive.
ZACH THROWS A DOT FOR HIS 200TH #ForTheW pic.twitter.com/B7WZfCQ6sY
— Winnipeg Blue Bombers (@Wpg_BlueBombers) June 21, 2025
Collaros now joints a list that includes Anthony Calvillo (455), Damon Allen (394), Henry Burris (373), Ron Lancaster (333), Ricky Ray (324), Matt Dunigan (303), Kevin Glenn (293), Tracy Ham (284), Doug Flutie (270), Danny McManus (259), Tom Clements (252), Bo Levi Mitchell (226) and Dieter Brock (210).
“It felt great to be back out here,” said Collaros post-game. “Just to be back out here with the guys… it felt like a long time, but it also felt like yesterday. It was pretty cool.”
Collaros opened the game completing his first seven passes in a sensational opening drive as the offence pieced together a 12-play, 72-yard masterpiece that chewed up seven minutes and 21 seconds of clock.
The Lions defence would settle in, though, and Collaros finished the game 18 of 25 for 179 yards with two TDs — the second to offensive lineman Tui Eli for a five-yard score.
WHAT A ROUTE TUI#ForTheW pic.twitter.com/azhdUczuY3
— Winnipeg Blue Bombers (@Wpg_BlueBombers) June 22, 2025
Post-game Collaros expanded on his appreciation for the game and soaking up the moments, hinting further at the frustration he felt after missing last week’s action.
“It’s not just that — it’s this sport,” he said. “You put a lot of time in, whether it’s the offseason or during the season, and you only have so many opportunities. So, to miss an opportunity is tough because you only have 18 of them and then the playoffs.
“So, you really cherish them. It’s something I’ll never get sick of, running out of the tunnel and getting an opportunity to do this.”
‘D’ IS FOR DOMINANT
Winnipeg’s defence forced four turnovers — interceptions by Jamal Parker, Jr. and Evan Holm, a fumble recovery TD by Parker, Jr. and a turnover on downs — while Jaylen Smith also recovered a fumble on a botched Lions punt return.
Winnipeg sacked Jeremiah Masoli, who was starting in place of an injured Nathan Rourke, and limited the Lions to 323 yards net offence — much of it coming late in the game.
Interestingly, the late TD surrendered — coming with less than two minutes remaining — was stuck in the collective craws of the defence afterward.
“We did a lot of great things but I’m that type, I harp on the last minute and a half of the game and us giving up a touchdown when we didn’t need to,” said Parker, Jr. who also had six tackles and a knockdown on a superb night for the Blue Bombers safety.
“We play 60 minutes of football… we probably played a quality 58. We left some plays out there we probably could have made, including myself. So, we go back to the drawing board tomorrow.”
NOTABLE
-The Blue Bombers are now done with the Lions for the regular season, having swept the season series. The two clubs won’t meet again this year unless it’s in the playoffs.
-Nic Demski caught just one pass but in so doing extended his streak to 72 consecutive games with at least one reception.
-Defensive end Willie Jefferson had two objectionable conduct penalties — the second with just 1:36 remaining — and was therefore ejected from the game.
KEY MOMENT:
The Blue Bombers led 10-3 in the second quarter when Parker, Jr. wisely scooped up a lateral pass by Masoli that hit the ground and then raced 53-yards for a TD that put the visitors up 17-3.
SCOOP AND SCORE FOR PARKER
— Winnipeg Blue Bombers (@Wpg_BlueBombers) June 21, 2025
17-3!!!!#ForTheW pic.twitter.com/fhf6SelWHR
“It just comes down to practice and running to the ball,” said Parker, Jr. “We call it ‘loose change’ and picking the ball up after every play; it doesn’t matter where the ball is or if it’s incomplete. We all run to the ball so you can pick it up.
“We had a little game during camp so it’s honestly second nature for me to pick the ball up.”
KEY STAT: 5/+3
The Blue Bombers forced five turnovers and finished the night +3, including two Collaros interceptions. Through the first two games Winnipeg has forced eight turnovers.
NEXT:
The Blue Bombers return home to host the Edmonton Elks on Thursday, June 26th at Princess Auto Stadium, with the start listed as 7:30 p.m.
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This story originally appeared at BlueBombers.com and is republished here with permission.